NJ civic leaders encourage citizens to vote

TRENTON — The election between President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney is four weeks away, but a voter rights forum Tuesday at Thomas Edison State College said the deadline for voter registration is Oct. 16 and that everyone should be aware of how the process works.

“Not only are people going to want to register to vote, they are going to ask a million questions,” said Kerry Butch, executive director of the League of Women Voters of NJ. She explained the process for how to register and said New Jersey residents can go on the state’s website to confirm if they are registered to vote.

The forum featured only 10 people, but the presented information was comprehensive and featured a demonstration on how to register.

Heather Taylor of the Citizens Campaign said a resident has to be a U.S. citizen and at least 18 years old on Election Day to register to vote in the Nov. 6 general election. Someone in prison or someone on probation or parole for a felony conviction cannot register to vote, Taylor said, but someone serving time for a misdemeanor or civil matter can still vote.

“In this day and age, you should be able to register the day of the election,” Taylor said, but added the reality is New Jersey doesn’t have same-day registration.

Trenton NAACP President Kieanna Childs Alexander said minorities — African-Americans, Asian-Americans and Latino-Americans — should vote, because their “vote does count.”

The election polls in New Jersey will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 6, but registered voters also have the option to vote by mail.